13 Ways to Create a Friendlier Front Yard

With beautiful weather comes more outside time. But don't hide away in your backyard. Your front yard, porch, stoop, lawn — whatever you have — is a place where the right accessories and architecture can spell "friendly" and "welcoming" to passersby. Being out front is a great way to connect with your neighbors while still enjoying the outdoors. These are our best tips for making the front of your house as hospitable as possible.

Founded in St. Paul, Minnesota, the Friendly Fronts Toolkit has one key recommendation to make your front yard friendlier immediately. "If you can do only one thing, get a few chairs, put them outside, sit down and be present in your yard and in your community. Then you are ready to start talking to people as they walk by."

Widening your front path and entrance is a psychological reinforcement of "welcome" and has been shown to create a more inviting entry.

Gardenia, jasmine, tea olive, roses and other fragrant plants near sidewalks and pathways are inviting and appealing to passersby. We dare neighbors not to ask about "that delicious scent."